Seasonal Tips

August

Gardening in August is usually a maintenance month. Keeping the garden wet and weeded is very important.
Container materials must have an application of fertilizer. One handful of a complete fertilizer is equal to a tablespoon. Time for that fourth application for your turf.
If your conifers are showing a browning, it will mean a mite attack, and you will have to spray with a contact type of material. One spray will answer the problem. Natural and organic materials are available.
If you have trees that take away your view, they could now be pruned and thinned so you could see through them. There will be no more growth this year.
The new buds that are showing on your rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas will need plenty of water under the drip line of the plant so the buds will develop.
Lawns that border sidewalks and driveways may need more water than open areas. Make necessary adjustments to your irrigation controller.
It’s a good idea to watch your irrigation system run through a cycle to see if adjustments are needed.
Boxwoods, laurel, juniper, cotoneaster, and other ground cover can be sheared or pruned now. Little to no growth will occur the rest of the year.

September

If you are utilizing our organic fertilization program, you should be done with the 4th of 6 applications. Take advantage of a good rainfall to get that fertilizer down to the root zone where it can be used.
If you are still considering putting in a new lawn or replacing your existing lawn, this is the last month to place seed. From October through March, your only other successful option will be the installation of a sod lawn.
This month, anything can be planted and most plants can be transplanted. Perennials, shrubs, and trees that you held off planting in the summer will do just fine now. Stay away from transplanting bigger plants for now. Wait until the weather cools and we get a little more rain.
You can stop watering your vegetable garden if your plants are in the ground. Let your fruits and vegetables ripen up.
Try to get finished up on your pruning. The snow and ice are a couple months out, but properly pruned plants and trees will handle the harsh weather much better.
Don’t pull your annuals yet. There is still a lot of bloom left in them if you keep the old flowers cut back.
Keep up the composting. All the pruning of shrubs and flowers along with falling leaves make great compost. Make sure to keep that compost pile moist.

October

You will need to continue to maintain your lawn on your regular schedule this month. If you have a broadleaf weed issue in the turf, now is a great time to take care of that. Lower the mowing height 1 to 2 notches from the summer height. Cutting shorter at about 1 1/2" to 2" will help reduce disease activity.
Your perennials are now ready to be cut to the ground. Be sure to throw them in the compost pile.
Roses should be pruned down to waist height high to protect them from wind in the winter and then prune them again in February for the final winter pruning.
Late in the month pull your hanging baskets and prepare them for winter. Geraniums and fuchsias can be stored indoors or in a protected area for use next spring.
Time to plant winter color. Pansies in bloom will bloom for the entire winter if the temperature doesn’t get too low. This is a great way to keep color in your yard the entire year.
You can still move your iris, but this is the last month. Cut the tops back 6 to 8 inches from the ground and really break up the plant before replanting.
By mid October, your irrigation system can be shut down. You can drain the system or give us a call and we can provide a forced air winterization to guarantee your system from freeze damage.
Compost all the leaves and any other plant material that will decompose.